Thomas Spear: Boston shows us how to overcome

Boston. When it was finally over, behold the cheering crowds! As I watched my TV, in my California living room, I became a Bostonian, relieved and exuberant, cheering and clapping my hands as the Boston police made their capture of the last marathon bomber, and then made their exit, leaving an urban area safe again.

The FBI, the state police and the local police were tough customers during this crisis. Maximum technology. Maximum show of force (with maximum restraint). Maximum gum-shoe research.

And in the neighborhoods? The citizens of Watertown, a tough, independent lot, heeded the call for cooperation. No one walked the streets. No one challenged this bold authority. Are we amazed at the coordination between federal, state and local authorities? Are we amazed at the cooperation of the local citizens? Yes. Yet it’s the essence of communal resilience.

I’d like to think that such universal cooperation is possible for all of our society when it faces a crisis. But, alas, we must needlessly suffer the Republican House, the Republican filibuster, and the Republican Tea Party. Oh, well. But, hooray, Boston! You’ve made us proud.